The Paradox of Nationality in Zadie Smith's "White Teeth".

The Britain of Zadie Smiths White Teeth is one of diversity and multiculturalism. What it means to be British, or any other nationality for that matter, is hazy and ill-defined. The novel explores hardheaded criteria for defining nationality--official situation, genetics, race, culture-- unless undercuts separately of these criteria by demonstrating its insufficiencies. Smith offers 2 responses to this result of national identity, one radically inclusive, the other radically exclusive, plainly undercuts from each one of these too. Ultimately, she espouses a view of nationhood that falls between the ii approaches--one that recognizes the problems inherent in defining nationality without resorting to hopeless relativism. When Archie marries Clara they must each state their nationality. Archie writes English and Clara writes Jamaican. And yet the seemingly probing distinction is undercut by the very act itself. In signing the document Clara becomes a Jones and she also beco mes British. The distinction is and consequently blurred even as it is made. The inadequacy of this distinction is pressurize emphasized by the ease with which Claras nationality changes. The wedding ceremony itself is quick, bare(a) and trivial. The passage begins: This and little more constituted the ceremony (50) forth going on to describe the forms the bride and groom have to canvas out.

The twins Millat and Magid demonstrate a further rejection of official stead as definitive of nationality. We learn that Millat stood schizophrenic, one foot in Bengal and one in Willesden ... He did not require a passport to live in two plac es at once, he needed no visa to live his br! others life and his consume (he was a twin after all) (219). Smith offers genetics as an alternate for defining nationality. Irie is described as having ledges genetically intentional with other country in mind, another climate (266). This could be seen as evidence that Iries... If you want to get a plenteous essay, put in it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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